6. Saganaki

BONNIE TRAFELET, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

The elaborate process of serving saganaki at Greek restaurants — setting the cheese on fire at the table, extinguishing the flames with lemon juice, and chanting "opaa!" — appears to be a Chicago invention. The Parthenon restaurant in Greektown claims credit.

The elaborate process of serving saganaki at Greek restaurants — setting the cheese on fire at the table, extinguishing the flames with lemon juice, and chanting "opaa!" — appears to be a Chicago invention. The Parthenon restaurant in Greektown claims credit. (BONNIE TRAFELET, CHICAGO TRIBUNE)

The elaborate process of serving saganaki at Greek restaurants — setting the cheese on fire at the table, extinguishing the flames with lemon juice, and chanting "opaa!" — appears to be a Chicago invention. The Parthenon restaurant in Greektown claims credit.